A-League round seven: Roar rise up with win over depleted Melbourne City

Roar rise up with win over depleted Melbourne City

Eugene Galekovic (left) and Bart Schenkeveld of Melbourne City and Avram Papadopoulos of the Roar compete for the ball during the round seven A-League match between the Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City.

Eric Bautheac of the Roar (right) kicks the ball under pressure from Luke Brattan of Melbourne City.

Melbourne City coach Warren Joyce speaks to the media after the round seven A-League match between the Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City.

Avram Papadopoulos of the Roar (left) celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal during the round seven A-League match between the Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City.

Highlights of the round seven A-League match between the Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, November 17, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (AAP Image/ Albert Perez)

Brisbane Roar have finally broken through for their first win of the A-League season, defeating Melbourne City 3-1 courtesy of a brace from defender Avraam Papadopoulos.

Papadopoulos scored the opener and the clincher for the Roar as they climbed off the bottom of the ladder in front of just 9285 supporters on a perfect Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.

The first came just five minutes in, with Papadopoulos beating City goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic in an aerial contest to nod home after Iacopo La Rocca's failed in his attempt at a clearing header.

Eric Bautheac had created the initial danger with a cross from the left and the zippy Frenchman scored the Roar's second goal just two minutes from the break.

La Rocca was involved again, after a dangerous backpass was pounced on by Roar's Italian veteran Massimo Maccarone, who held up the ball until Bautheac completed his run and then slammed home from inside the box.

City pulled a goal back in the 54th minute to make it 2-1 after Stefan Mauk latched onto a pass from substitute Luke Brattan, and his shot beat goalkeeper Jamie Young at his near post.

But Papadopoulos snuffed out the visitors' comeback after completing a brace in the 70th minute. The Melbourne-born former Greek international pounced after Galekovic dropped the ball while trying to collect a free kick. The 32-year-old shielded the ball with his body then swivelled around to trickle his attempt into the back of the net.

He could have had a hat-trick from another goal-bound header before half-time but Mauk managed to clear it off the line.

Roar's victory snaps a six-match game winless start to the season for the injury-hit side, while City are now without a win in their past three games.

City were without star striker Ross McCormack and midfielder Marcelo Carrusca, neither of whom made the trip to Brisbane.

Tim Cahill also wasn't considered after playing just over an hour for the Socceroos in their World Cup qualifying play-off on Wednesday, amid reports the veteran's relationship with coach Warren Joyce is strained.